About Stop Mandated Shunning
Stop Mandated
Stop Mandated Shunning is a nonprofit focused on raising awareness and ending shunning in high-control religions. Our work centers on ending religious shunning practices that violate fundamental human rights, including the right to family life, freedom of belief, and personal autonomy. We advocate for individuals who have left groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and other restrictive religious communities, many of whom experience religious ostracism, loss of family contact, and psychological harm as a result.
Who We Are
A Global Human Rights Group Ending Religious Shunning
Stop Mandated Shunning is a group of ordinary individuals who have lived through something extraordinary and survived it. Each of us has personal experience of mandated shunning or high-control religious groups, and each of us has had to rebuild our lives, relationships, and sense of self in their wake. That experience makes us uniquely placed to speak, advocate, and support others walking the same road.
"Mandated shunning is a fundamental violation of the principles found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
Changing Laws to End Religious Shunning and Protect Families
If you have left a high-control religious group, you know the loss of family, community, and identity (among other things) can be emotionally overwhelming. So, a powerful first step toward your healing is to connect with others who understand your experience.
But most of the time, awareness alone isn’t enough to change policies. Our work takes it further by standing up and fighting against the practice of mandated shunning and the harm it causes through enforced isolation, family separation, and coercive control. It all must be recognised and addressed for the impact we hope to create.
Our Mission
Stop Mandated Shunning's mission is to bring the impact and reality of mandated shunning, in our words, to the attention of lawmakers, policymakers, and human rights organisations worldwide, and to advocate for legal protections for those who are targeted by it.
With your help, we can make our voices louder and bring about change so no one else has to stand alone.
Champions For Human Rights
Advocates, experts, and survivors who are united in our mission to end mandated shunning and protect fundamental human rights worldwide.
Patrick Haeck
Richard Kelly
Claire Alison
Corina Gabriel
Esther Gebhard
Jan Frode Nilsen
Joni Valkila
Joshua Hanson
Julia Gutgsell
Lee Elder
Lee Marsh
Luisa Haas
Monica Rodriguez
Pablo Rodriguez
Stephanie Macnamara
